Negative Nelly...

This post is just sharing what God is working on in me. I wrote a post awhile back called Gossip Girl and this one is called Negative Nelly. Maybe this will be a series and the next will be called Debbie Downer. (LOL - kidding.)

Beth Moore posted a challenge today that I chose to accept - not just for today but for life.

"Today's challenge to anyone who's game. Go all day till falling asleep tonight w/out complaining or criticizing a single time. God, fill us! If we have a legitimate complaint, let's make it to God alone. Some are valid & need voicing."

I've been thinking about it constantly, since first reading it this morning. Every time I've thought a negative thought or want to voice something that bothered me - I've taken it to God instead of to a friend/email/FB, etc. I think this has become the norm among people. Not just women - but men alike. We have so many outlets to "voice" our feelings/opinions and just seem to put everything out there. A lot of times it just adds fuel to an already emotional fire because we have friends that will step up and back our feelings - in turn validating our behavior.

In the study that I'm doing, she spoke on women having a meek & quiet spirit. In the Bible it says that a meek and quiet spirit is of great price in the sight of God (I Peter 3:4). I've thought/prayed about this a lot, asking God what it was He had for me in this lesson. I felt like He told me to be a better listener. Not to voice my opinion on anything and everything. Just be quiet and listen.

A recurring theme in my conversations with Him lately.

I find that a friend who will listen and not necessarily validate my every thought and feeling is invaluable. Someone that will pray for me instead of joining me. Someone that will speak scripture (LIFE) into me. Ya know...sometimes it's not okay to feel that way or to say that. It's just not. Sometimes (and by sometimes I mean most all of the time) we just need to take our feelings and our nasty thoughts to God. He knows them anyway - so it won't surprise Him. He's the only one that can change our hearts and in turn our feelings/actions.

"The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words." Proverbs 15:26

There's a wonderful post HERE about "the fact that God made us the way we are...and that He loves us unconditionally - but that does NOT give us the right to stay the way we are. Jesus died and rose again to give us the power to change...into His image, to reflect Him to those around us." -Belinda Weaver

I don't want to be a Negative Nelly. I don't want to have a critical or complaining spirit. I want to encourage those around me with appreciation, understanding, and kind words.

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." Proverbs 16:24

I want to change. I want to reflect Him. I don't want to finish this 15 week study and be the same person. I'm going to think before I speak. I'm going to take my "stuff" to God instead of friends, family, and facebook.



I want Amelia to grow up to be a woman with a meek and quiet spirit. I want to instill a love for God's Word in her heart. I want to teach her about repentance and forgiveness. I want to teach her about God's grace. My desire is for her to be someone who speaks life to her friends and others. I want her to be a praying/supportive wife not a nagging/manipulative wife. I want her to be a kind person. I want her to be content when the world encourages otherwise. I don't want her to seek compliments and praise from others to build her self esteem. I want her to find her everything in Him. God placed me as her mother to LIVE that example to her. What a great responsibility...but with His help and a desire for HIS heart - it IS possible.

"...so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." I Thessalonians 2:12

Love to all,